Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from the planet Krypton, who came to Earth with amazing physical powers far beyond those of mortal men. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, wages a never-ending battle for truth and justice.

MFX:

THEME UP, THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

Today, in his guise of Clark Kent, Superman and Robin hear a conversation between the missing Batman and a stranger, on a wire recording -- and receive the shock of their lives!

MFX:

DRAMATICALLY OUT

JONES:

(RECORDING) I think you'll do as I say, Mr. Wayne, because if you refuse ....

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) Yes? If I refuse?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Then I will reveal to the world that you, Bruce Wayne, are Batman.

MFX:

STING AND CURTAIN

ANNOUNCER:

All right, gang! Get set now for more Superman contest winners! You may be among these, so listen carefully! (PROCEEDS TO RAPIDLY READ THE NAMES AND HOME TOWNS OF A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS LIST OF CONTEST WINNERS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES -- FOR OVER A MINUTE AND A HALF!) That's all for now. More, later in the program. So be sure to keep listening.

MFX:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

And now -- The Adventures of Superman! ... Insisting that he was unable to explain, Batman told Robin, his young companion, that he was going away, and he added that if he failed to return after one week, Robin might never see him again. When twelve days went by and Batman failed to return, Robin summoned Clark Kent, who is really Superman. Together, they searched for a clue to Batman's disappearance. And then, in a recording machine, Kent discovered a wire recording of a conversation between Batman and a mysterious man named Jones.

MFX:

DRAMATICALLY OUT

ROBIN:

Holy smokes, Mr. Kent! Did you hear what that man said?

KENT:

Yes, I did.

ROBIN:

He knows Bruce is Batman!

KENT:

So it seems.

ROBIN:

How did he ever find that out?

KENT:

I don't know, Dick. But it appears that somehow he did find it out and he must have used that information to make Batman go away with him, under threat that he'd expose Bruce's double identity if he didn't!

ROBIN:

Right! But who is he? How did he find out Bruce is Batman? And where did he take him?

KENT:

You got me. All we know is that the man's name is Jones. Or is it?!

ROBIN:

Who knows? And, even if it is, it's a pretty slim clue. There're only a couple of million people named Jones, you know.

KENT:

Yeah, I know.

ROBIN:

So, where are we?

KENT:

Oh, we're no place, yet. Look, do you mind if I play this recording once again, Dick?

ROBIN:

No, but what do you expect to get out of it?

KENT:

Well, there was something vaguely familiar about the voice of that fellow Jones.

(RECORDING) That's a strange request, Mr. uh-- Jones, you said your name was?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Jones is right, Mr. Wayne. But, strange or not, I insist that you come to my place with me now to discuss the matter.

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) But why? Why can't we discuss it right here?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Because, as I explained before, I prefer to discuss such an important matter in my own home. Or in some, uh, neutral place, if you prefer.

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) You think I might have spies around here, huh?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Let's just say I prefer not to take chances.

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) I see. You know, you amuse me, Mr. Jones. You don't want to take chances, but you don't hesitate to ask me to take them. You come here with some cock and bull story--

JONES:

(RECORDING) It's not a cock and bull story, Mr. Wayne. I've told you the truth.

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) Maybe. And maybe your name is Jones. But you must admit it sounds pretty fishy. I mean, telling me as little as you have and then asking me to go somewhere with you, alone. How do I know you're not leading me into an ambush?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Why should I?

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) Well, I am pretty rich, you know. You may have some ransom idea in your head.

(RECORDING) Sorry, Mr. Jones. I'm not a coward, but neither am I a fool. You'll have to tell me more.

KENT:

That's enough.

JONES:

(RECORDING) And if I refuse?

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) I don't go with you.

SFX:

CLICK OF SWITCH ... RECORDING OUT

ROBIN:

Well? Do you recognize that guy Jones's voice? Do you know who he is?

KENT:

(SIGHS) Nope.

ROBIN:

Oh, shucks.

KENT:

But now I know definitely that I've heard his voice before, Dick. Oh, if only I could place him!

ROBIN:

Yeah, I'd like to place him, too -- at the end of my fist!

KENT:

Well, you may get that chance. Do you have a pair of shears, Dick?

ROBIN:

Uh huh. (MOVING OFF) There's a pair right here in this drawer.

KENT:

Will you please let me have them?

ROBIN:

(OFF) Sure, but what do you want 'em for?

SFX:

DRAWER OPENED ... RUMMAGING, IN BG

KENT:

I'm gonna cut off the last ten or fifteen seconds of the recording wire. The part where Jones tells Bruce he's Batman.

ROBIN:

(OFF) But why?

KENT:

Because I'm going to play this recording for several people -- and I don't think Bruce would want them to learn his double identity, do you?

SFX:

DRAWER CLOSED

ROBIN:

(COMING BACK) Oh, I should say not! Here are the shears.

KENT:

Thanks.

ROBIN:

Look, uh, who're you gonna play the recording for, Mr. Kent?

KENT:

For the police department, and for the staff at The Daily Planet. Maybe someone can help us identify Jones.

ROBIN:

Swell idea.

KENT:

Give me a hand with this spool of wire, please, Dick. We've got to work fast.

MFX:

BRIDGE

KENT:

(FADES IN) Now, Mr. White, Lois, Jim-- You, too, Beanie. Listen carefully to this recording of a conversation between Bruce Wayne and a man he calls Jones. I want you to see if you can recognize Jones's voice. All right, Dick, turn on the machine.

ROBIN:

Here goes, Mr. Kent.

SFX:

CLICK OF SWITCH

KENT:

Listen now, all of you.

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) That's a strange request, Mr. uh-- Jones, you said your name was?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Jones is right, Mr. Wayne. But, strange or not, I--

MFX:

BRIDGE

KENT:

(FADES IN) Now, Inspector, if you and your men will listen carefully to this recording, one of you may be able to identify the mysterious Mr. Jones. Here it goes.

SFX:

CLICK OF SWITCH

WAYNE:

(RECORDING) That's a strange request, Mr. uh-- Jones, you said your name was?

JONES:

(RECORDING) Jones is right, Mr. Wayne. But, strange or not, I--

MFX:

BRIDGE

ROBIN:

Well, nobody at either the police department or the Daily Planet recognized Jones's voice.

KENT:

No.

ROBIN:

Now, where do we go from here, Mr. Kent?

KENT:

Gosh, I don't know, Dick. Let me think a minute, will you?

ROBIN:

Go ahead. I'm afraid you'll have to do the thinking for both of us because I'm so upset my head just keeps goin' around in circles!

KENT:

Hm! If we only had some idea of what he wanted with Batman! And if only I could place his voice!

ROBIN:

Yeah, if. If only.

KENT:

Oh, say, listen, Dick. Inspector Henderson was gonna have a fingerprint expert go over the study in your house. Have you heard from him yet?

Just a minute, Dick. (INTO PHONE) But I can't believe it! ... You did, huh? You're positive? ... I see. All right, thanks, Inspector. ... Yes, you bet we will! Right. So long.

SFX:

RECEIVER DOWN

ROBIN:

What gives, Mr. Kent?

KENT:

Plenty! But don't stop to ask questions now, Dick! Just come with me!

ROBIN:

Where? What happened?

KENT:

I'm not sure, but either Inspector Henderson has gone crazy or we have! Come on!

MFX:

STING ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

Grim-faced, Clark Kent hurries from his office, followed by the puzzled Dick Grayson. What amazing news did Kent receive from Inspector Henderson?! WE'LL BE BACK IN A MOMENT TO FIND OUT! SO KEEP LISTENING!

MFX:

UP AND OUT

ANNOUNCER:

Stand by now for more contest winners! Here they are! (PROCEEDS TO READ THE NAMES AND HOME TOWNS OF A LONG LIST OF CONTEST WINNERS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES -- FOR OVER A MINUTE AND A HALF!) That's all we have time for today, gang! If you weren't among these, you may be on tomorrow's lists, so don't fail to listen!

MFX:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

And now, back to The Adventures of Superman! ... As we continue now, Clark Kent and young Dick Grayson, who is really Robin, have arrived at the Metropolis Auditorium where a huge throng mills around the doors ...

SFX:

CROWD MURMURS ... CONTINUES IN BG

NARRATOR:

... trying to push their way into the already-crowded building. There, Kent flashes his press card and, followed by Dick, is ushered into the auditorium to seats in the front row, directly below the empty, flag-draped stage.

ROBIN:

Will you please tell me what this is all about, Mr. Kent? Why are we here? What's going on?

KENT:

This, Dick, is a mass meeting which was announced only this afternoon by an organization of selfish, bigoted people who oppose sending food and other help to Europe.

ROBIN:

You mean the Marshall Plan?

KENT:

Yes. That and any other plan to help war-torn nations.

ROBIN:

Then what are we doing here? I don't want anything to do with a bunch of selfish mugs who don't want us to help those poor people!

KENT:

Neither do I, Dick. But wait!

ROBIN:

Nothing doing! I want out!

KENT:

Now, wait a minute, son.

ROBIN:

When Batman and I were in Europe, we saw people living like - like animals, without anybody to care about them!

KENT:

I know. If you'll just listen a moment, Dick, I can tell you why--

ROBIN:

No, I won't listen! I don't want any part of this meeting!

KENT:

Now, look, don't go--

ROBIN:

Besides, I've got to find Batman!

KENT:

Please, wait a minute!

ROBIN:

(TO THE CROWD, MOVING OFF) Excuse me, please. Let me out of here.

KENT:

Dick, come back here and sit down!

ROBIN:

(PULLED BACK) I won't! Let me go!

KENT:

(LOWERS HIS VOICE) Will you sit down? Batman is going to be here.

ROBIN:

Ba--? Batman? Here?

KENT:

That's what Inspector Henderson said. The police department issued a permit for the meeting just before he called me. And get this. Batman is going to be the principal speaker!

ROBIN:

Wha--? What?!

KENT:

That's right. He's going to be--

ROBIN:

Are you kidding? Why, Batman wouldn't breathe the same air as this - this rotten crowd!

SFX:

CROWD MURMURS EXPECTANTLY, CLAPPING, IN BG

KENT:

Oh, no? Look!

ROBIN:

Huh? What?

KENT:

Look up there on the stage! Look who's walking out to speak!

ROBIN:

Christopher Columbus! It - it is Batman.

MFX:

STING ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

His eyes bulging, Robin looks up at the tall figure in skintight costume, gloves, cape, and bat-like hood and mask, and recognizes his companion -- Batman!

Can it really be Batman, who is out before the huge crowd, to speak for a movement which he, Robin, Superman, and other prominent people, have condemned as un-American and selfish? WHATCANTHISMEAN?! There are more surprises and thrills in tomorrow's exciting episode, fellows and girls, so be sure to listen! Tune in -- same time, same station -- for Chapter Three of "Batman's Great Mystery" on -- The Adventures of Superman!

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THEME ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Superman is a copyrighted feature, appearing in Superman-DC Comics Magazine, and is brought to you Monday through Friday at this same time.

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TO A FINISH

ANNOUNCER:

This program came from New York. Stay tuned to your Mutual station for "Captain Midnight," which follows in just a moment. And right after "Captain Midnight," you will hear "Tom Mix and His Ralston Straight Shooters." This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.